Careers in Geological Sciences

What is a Geoscientist?

Geoscientists study the Earth's physical composition, structure, history, and the
natural processes. They provide information to society for use in solving problems
and establishing policies for resource management, environmental protection, public
health, safety, and welfare. For example, geoscientists:

Explore and discover new ideas about the natural world from the depths of the oceans
and the core of the Earth to the outer reaches of space that help us better understand
how the Earth and universe works.

Most of all, geoscientists enjoy the Earth. It is an outdoor laboratory filled with
opportunities to observe Earth processes in action. By applying knowledge of forces
that shape the Earth, geoscientists seek to reconstruct the past and anticipate the
future.

Importantly, the job market is strong. A recent study projected that there will be a shortage of 135,000 geoscientists for this in-demand field by the end of the decade. In addition, geology is one of
the least likely fields to lead to underemployment.

What is a day in the life of a geoscientist like?

Most geoscientists say that they enjoy the challenge and diversity of their work and
that there is no "typical" day. Geoscientists work with people, data, information,
ideas, and technology. Geoscientists often work with other scientists and engineers
in teams, reflecting the complexity of the problems they address. Information technology
and the Internet have greatly increased the accessibility of data and the speed of
communication among people worldwide, and has likewise affected the pace and diversity
of the geosciences.

Geoscience work often includes an interesting mix of indoor and outdoor duties which
are seldom found in any other profession. Geoscientists divide their time among the
joys of working in the outdoor environment, the laboratory and the office. Field work
may entail the preparation of geologic maps and collecting samples that will later
be analyzed in the laboratory. For example, rock samples may be x-rayed, studied under
a polarizing or electron microscope and analyzed for chemical content. Geoscientists
may also conduct experiments or design computer models to test theories in order to
provide data that will mitigate the effects of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and
flooding.

In the office, they gather and interpret data, generate ideas, and communicate the
results of their work in written reports and oral presentations that include maps
and diagrams that illustrate the results of their investigations. Such maps can pinpoint
areas favorable to the occurrence of ores, coal, oil, natural gas or underground water,
or indicate subsurface conditions of construction sites.

What are some of the different subdisciplines of the geosciences?

The geosciences are composed of five major disciplines: geology, geophysics, atmospheric
sciences, space sciences, and oceanography. There are numerous subdisciplines, reflecting
diverse areas of specialization. Each of these fields allows for combining different
disciplines - such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology with geoscience.
One of the main reasons students are drawn to geoscience is because they can easily
merge their interests in most scientific fields with geology - an approach that is
well-suited for solving environmental problems as the study of the Earth also involves
understanding its physics, chemistry and biology!

Some occupations in geoscience are:

Atmospheric scientists study weather processes; the global dynamics of climate; solar radiation and its
effects; and the role of atmospheric chemistry in ozone depletion, climate change,
and pollution.

Economic geologists study mineral deposits that can be used for economic and/or industrial purposes.

Environmental geochemists investigate natural and polluted water resources and soils.

Environmental geologists work to solve problems with pollution, waste disposal and urban development and hazards,
such as flooding and erosion.

Geochemists investigate the nature and distribution of chemical elements in rocks and minerals.

Geomorphologists study the effects of Earth processes and investigate the nature, origin and development
of present landforms and their relationship to underlying structures.Geophysicists decipher the Earth's interior and its magnetic, electric, and gravitational fields.

Glaciologists study the physical properties and movement of glaciers and ice sheets.

Hydrologists are concerned with water from the moment of precipitation until it evaporates into
the atmosphere or is discharged into the ocean; for example, they study river systems
to predict the impacts of flooding.

Mineralogists study the formation, composition and properties of minerals.

Oceanographers investigate the physical, chemical, biological, and geologic dynamics of oceans.Petrologists determine the origin and genesis of rocks by analyzing mineral or grain relationships.

Paleontologists study fossils to understand past life forms and their changes through time and to
reconstruct past environments.

Petroleum geologists are involved in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas.

Planetary Geologists study the origin and geology of other planetary bodies.

Sedimentologists study sedimentary rocks and the processes of sediment formation, transportation and
deposition.

Seismologists study the location and force of earthquakes and trace the behavior of earthquake
waves to interpret the structure of the Earth.Soil scientists study soils and their properties to determine how to sustain agricultural productivity
and to detect and remediate contaminated soils.

Stratigraphers investigate the time and space relationships of layered rocks and their fossil and
mineral content.